Part two - Morality

Dogma. That word is associated with many of the mainstream religions, to follow a set of rules governed by an ‘Almighty’ or one must face eternal damnation. This tenant and its followers has been used to oppress many women, men and cultures alike.

Karma. The knowledge that whatever goes around comes around. Or better yet, known in the Wiccan community as the three-fold law. Whatever energy is sent out will return to the sender three-fold.

The Wiccan Rede - “An it harm none, do as thou wilt” What does that mean? ‘Do whatever you want so long as you aren’t hurting anyone?’ In some cases and to some individuals…yes. This tenant is taken to a literal sense by those who wish to celebrate the lack of dogma in the Pagan faith. Additionally, there are those that refuse to even validate the ethics of the three-fold law or karma.

In the Pagan faiths, there are no actual ‘rules’ or guidelines on how to be or act morally. Webster’s Dictionary defines moral as; relating to, dealing with, or capable of making the distinction between right and wrong conduct; ethics, sometimes in sexual behavior.

Because there are no actual written ‘commandments’ or rule books on moral behavior, many find an attraction in the free spiritedness of Paganism. However, there is a general understanding of how an individual or group of individuals should conduct themselves. Specifically, most of us agree that murder, rape or other violent acts are wrong. Where does this fall into the Pagan community? As Wiccans, we respect life in all its aspects - from the blade of grass to human existence. There are some that regard human life as merely a consequence, and the very thought of betrayal means death. Some ‘traditional’ Pagans believe that secrets within a coven or family are to be kept and not shared. To do so means the expiration of the individual who has divulged those very secrets.

Many Pagan faiths hold sex as sacred. Additionally, sex in any form is viewed as acceptable, and as part of the idea behind the nature-based religions, it is an integral part of the union between God and Goddess and the continual cycle of fertility, birth, life and death. Sex in itself is not ‘dirty’ or wrong. Sex between two consenting adults or couples can be fulfilling, satisfying and pleasurable. But sex for mere entertainment is not sacred, just passing the time. Intimacy between individuals is spiritual in as much as sexual. But some use the openness of sexuality as something that is a simple lifestyle, like eating three meals a day, instead of a sacred, special act between loving adults.

I give here an example. A High Priestess of a circle (not a coven) after ritual, explained to the others that the next full moon would be mandatory skyclad. Additionally, she went on to say that the Ostara celebration would consist of ‘drunkenness and debauchery’ - or more literally ‘anything goes’. After the stunned looks of those around her began to fade, disgust and antipathy took over. Most of the people there knew this woman’s want for sexual activity, and merely saw this as her way of fulfilling her needs.

Is this morally wrong? Let me put it another way. Would this make you feel uncomfortable? Some of you might actually look forward to this type of activity. Most wouldn’t. Out of the twenty or so people that were there that evening, not one person had any interest in participating in any of those activities. Was this because of a moral issue? Or was it merely a personal preference?

Ok, one more example. A major Pagan organization gathered for it’s annual meeting and public ritual. Of one of the three day long events, a ‘dance night’ was one. Before this event, the president gave specific instructions to use one’s own judgment on behavior since the events were conducted exclusively in a major hotel ballroom.

The dance took place with only one problem - one of the attendees waltzed through the hotel in lingerie to get to the ballroom. Needless to say there was a complaint and another request for common sense was passed on to the others. During the dance, it seemed many were pretty much ‘doing as they will’. There were men dressed in nothing more than stockings and G-strings, and women who barely wore little much else. Now, the issue if nudity during ritual has always been understood and an accepted as a normal practice. Yet this was merely a dance party, not a ritual, and again, a way to let loose and act in any manner the individuals saw fit.

Let me just pause a moment and clarify something. As for what people wish to do privately or in groups is really none of anyone’s business - so long as others that are involved are comfortable with it. For me personally, I could care less. The friends in all these situations that accompanied me to these events were not comfortable. Additionally, the thought was ‘what does this have to do with spirituality?’. Does spirituality involve moral standards or not? What, if any, does spirituality mean to individuals who practice a literal sense of ‘do what thou will’ with little to no regard of what others may think or how they might be effected.

When one’s personal taste, rights or lifestyle intrudes on another and makes others uncomfortable or is offensive, not only is that person or group violating the rede, they are violating that person’s rights as a human being and a child of the gods. Simply put, should one practice an open and free from care lifestyle under the guise of their religion? Or should that person leave their lifestyle private and the religious interaction separate?

Pagans have become a bigger topic all over the newspapers and television. The general population is watching us…what kind of picture do we want to paint for them about Pagans?